However, at her first senior World Championships in Paris last month she broke 15 British records en route to attaining the Olympic 'B' qualification standard for the 2012 Games.

"It's been a bit of a mixed year," said the -63kg lifter.

"But with it [London 2012] approaching I really need to knuckle down now, because it's literally getting crucial and I don't have any time to lose."

Smith will be in the spotlight this weekend at the Olympic test event at London's ExCel Centre, but with only four weight divisions on show she will lift in the unfamiliar -68kg division, and therefore will be using the competition for experience in the 2012 venue.

The 24-year-old missed the World Championships due to an ankle injury, which has since healed, and he will compete in his preferred -94kg division this weekend.

Kirkbride admits he is only about 70% fit but is looking forward to returning to competition.

"I'm not focusing on my total, I haven't had the time to do all the conditioning work I would have liked," Kirkbride told BBC Sport.

"I've got back quite quickly but the foundation isn't there, it will be mainly core strength that gets me through."

Kirkbride added: "It's going to be a great experience to lift on that platform and to be part of the team as I haven't been to a Europeans or Worlds. I'm just going to the test event to do the best I can."

Kirkbride and Smith will be joined at the Olympic test event by British team-mates Natasha Perdue and Joe Muskett.

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British Weightlitfers Zoe Smith, Hannah Powell and Gareth Evans take a break from competing to explore Disneyland Paris